Cylinder 5 Contribution/Balance
What it means
P0275 means cylinder 5 isn't contributing its share of power — the ECM measures uneven crankshaft acceleration between cylinders and flags cylinder 5 as weak. The cause is usually a restricted or weak injector, but low compression or a fuel-delivery problem on that cylinder can also be behind it.
Can I keep driving? Driveable short-term, but the weak cylinder misfires and can harm the converter over time; repair promptly.
Real-world scan data
Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough idle or vibration
- Misfire feel and reduced power
- Hesitation under load
Common causes
Most likely first
- Restricted, weak, or failing cylinder 5 injectorLikely
- Low fuel pressure or a clogged fuel filter starving the cylinderCommon
- Low compression on cylinder 5 (valve or ring wear)Common
- Wiring or connector fault on the cylinder 5 injectorLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame and check for companion misfire or injector codes on cylinder 5.
- Compare injector flow/resistance or perform an injector-balance test.
- Check fuel pressure and filter condition.
- Run a compression test on cylinder 5 if injector and fuel checks are good.
- Repair or replace the weak component, then clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0275?+
Can I just clear P0275?+
Related codes
Read & clear P0275 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.